The Skatalites "Hog In A Cocoa" 1998

Slice of pure ska heaven! The perfect antidote to the idea that the whitened, insipid, post-Two-Tone dreck masquerading as "ska" nowadays is even close to being worthy of the name. This is the pure sound of early 60's Jamaica - it swings, it captivates, and most of all it conveys real feeling. Genuine ska is among the most uplifting of musical forms and here it is purveyed by the masters such as Justin Hines, The Maytals and, of course, the *only* ska band worthy of the name : The Skatalites. Buy it. --Amazon customer reviewThis is a great collection of classic ska performed by the Skatalites (generally considered the greatest of the first-wave ska bands) with various vocalists and recorded at Duke Reid's Treasure Isle studio in the mid-'60s. There are original versions of much-covered classics ("Housewife's Choice" by Derrick & Patsy, "Penny Reel" by Eric Morris and Baba Brooks) as well as obscure tracks by artists who would later gain worldwide fame ("The Higher the Monkey Climb," by Justin Hinds & the Dominoes, "When I Call Your Name," by Stranger & Patsy). Then there are the obscure tracks by artists who have remained obscure, sometimes deservedly so (as in the case of the hapless and out of tune Marguerita). Throughout the album, the Skatalites provide a relentlessly high-energy and almost supernaturally tight groove; even when the tempos are relatively slow, there's a tensile power to the band's sound that makes each track special. Highly recommended. --Rick Anderson, AllMusic [Rating: 4/5 stars]

Notes:

Recorded between 1963-66 at Treasure Isle Studios & West Indies Records Ltd, Kingston, Jamaica.

This compilation was originally released in 1991.

trax:

01. The Maytals with The Skatalites / John James 02. Stranger, Patsy and Baba Brooks with The Skatalites / Yea Yea Yea Baby 03. Justin Hinds and The Dominoes with The Skatalites  / The Higher The Monkey Climbs 04. Shanley Duffus with The Skatalites / Rukumbine 05. Owen Grey and Leon Silvera with The Skatalites / Next Door Neighbour 06. Eric Morris and Duke Reid with The Skatalites / What A Man Doeth 07. Justin Hinds and The Dominoes with The Skatalites  / Over The River 08. Stranger Cole and Techniques with The Skatalites / Run Joe 09. Stranger and Patsy with The Skatalites / Hog In A Cocoa 10. Eric Morris with The Skatalites / Samson 11. Derrick and Patsy with The Skatalites  / Housewife's Choice 12. Stranger and Patsy with The Skatalites / When I Call Your Name 13. Marguerita with The Skatalites / Woman Come 14. Eric Morris and Baba Brooks with The Skatalites / Penny Reel

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